Metal-blasting tools utilize a pneumatic or electrical power tool with abrasive belts to create a sand-blasting effect on metal, paint and vinyl. They provide an alternative to traditional sand- or shot-blasting techniques. A surface coating can be removed or polished, or the system can be used to remove old decals and coats of paint prior to repainting.
Function
The belts are similar to a wire brush in construction, made up of numerous lengths of hardened steel wire. The wires lean slightly forward. Initially loose when fitted, the belt is held tight during motion via centrifugal force. While removing the surface layers of corrosion and paint, the metal wires also excoriate the exposed metal surface beneath. This prepares the metal for a new paint coat and leaves the surface with a roughened effect similar to that achieved by sand or grit blasting.
Types
Detachable wire heads include 0.5mm carbon steel to remove heavy rust or marine deposits; 0.5mm stainless steel to clean weld seams; 0.8mm carbon steel to remove concrete debris from metal and a rubber belt for removing decals, reflective and adhesive tape. Copper wire heads are also available.
Sizes
The width of the wires embedded in the belts varies from 0.4-mm to 0.8-mm. The belts themselves come in 11-mm, 23-mm and 43-mm widths, with the narrow 11-mm belts best for working into crevices.
Applications
Metal blasting technology is used in automotive, marine and aeronautical engineering. It also has applications in the construction industry, in metal fabrication and welding, metal bridge refurbishment, mining and the petrochemical industry.
Alternatives
Alternative blasting tools for metal include commercial sand, grit, or shot blasters, or smaller, portable versions of these technologies. All these fire a gritty medium under high pressure at the surface to be cleaned. They are effective but messy. The pressure behind shot and sand blasting can bend thinner metal panels. The smaller media blasters use substances such as nut shells or plastic beads and are less damaging. Painted parts might alternatively be dipped in chemical stripper. This requires large vats of corrosive chemicals and is hazardous.
Advantages
Metal-blasting tools can be used for spot cleaning small areas, unsuited to the less-focused sand blasting. They can also be used on large areas where the expense of a blasting medium may be prohibitive. The metal blaster is a compact hand tool---unlike the bulky equipment needed for shot or sand blasting, or for commercial scale chemical stripping. It is also a tidier and safer process. Traditional sand blasting requires a containing enclosure to aid grit recovery; chemical stripping may require breathing equipment. Metal blasting tools are a relatively green technology since they produce no fumes or waste and are less hazardous than using corrosive chemicals.
0 comments:
Post a Comment